Which warning levels are used by Severe Weather Centre?

Severe Weather Centre warns by means of a multilevel warning system: YELLOW is the weather watch level which is issued if the occurrence of a severe weather event is probable but there are uncertainties about duration, intensity and/or the course of this severe weather event. The warning levels ORANGE, RED and VIOLET are flash warnings. These warnings are issued if meteorologists are certain about the occurrence of a severe weather event. The warning levels are dependent on the intensity of the severe weather. They vary from area to area to account for the different topographic and climatologic conditions.

When will warnings be issued?

Flash warnings of the warning levels ORANGE, RED and VIOLET are issued if the occurrence of a severe weather event is certain. This is generally 6 to 12 hours before the occurrence of such an event. Depending on the type of severe weather or weather conditions weather watches and flash warnings may be issued more shortly. Weather watches (YELLOW) are issued up to 48 hours in advance as the occurrence of the event may not be certain or there may be greater changes in time or in the intensity and in the moving direction of the forthcoming severe weather. The Severe Weather Centre team of meteorologists strives to warn of imminent severe weather as early and reliably as possible.